Tire insert attachment apparatus

ABSTRACT

A tire insert attachment apparatus includes a pin attached to a first part of the insert and extending into a second part of the insert to engage an actuator that draws the bolt into the second part. The actuator includes a tool engagement head that transmits rotational motion of a tool to a translator via a converter, the converter transforming the rotational motion of the head into linear motion imparted on the translator. The translator can be a rack and pinion setup or can be a thread arrangement. Preferably, the head rotates a worm, which rotates a pinion that has threads formed on an inner surface and engaging mating threads on the pin, the pin taking the form of a bolt, such as an eyebolt.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

“Runflat” tire inserts are devices that allow vehicles to continueoperation after one or more pneumatic tires have been deflated. Theinserts are installed snugly against the wheel and within a tire mountedon the wheel to keep the deflated tire stable and/or to distribute loadon the wheel while keeping the wheel rims off the ground, preventing rimdamage while substantially maintaining mobility and control. While mosttire inserts have limited range at speed, they are typically designed toallow the vehicle on which they are installed to get far enough awayfrom the point at which deflation occurred to get help or at least getout of danger. Additionally, some tire inserts can redirect explosiveforces to reduce damage to a vehicle should it drive over an explosivedevice, such as a land mine or the like. Inserts improperly installedare more likely to fail during deflated tire operation or even duringnormal operation of the vehicle on which the wheel is installed. Properinstallation is thus very important to the proper function runflat tireinserts, but because of their structure and where they are located,proper installation can be difficult and time consuming.

A typical runflat tire insert for single piece wheels is substantiallytoroidal and has at least one break therein to allow the inserts to beslipped onto a wheel. Some inserts have two or more sections separatedby breaks, while others have one section that stretches open at a singlebreak. In all of these incarnations, the sections of the insert must beconnected and drawn together over the break(s) by attachment apparatusto ensure that the insert stays in its designated configuration. Becausethe inserts are installed in the tire cavity, they must be installedafter at least partial tire installation, hindering access to the insertand attachment apparatus. The difficulty associated with insertinstallation, then, arises from maneuvering parts and tools around,under, and within the tire. To add to these difficulties, the variousdesigns of attachment apparatus that have been employed in tire insertssometimes require that mating insert components be manufactured withvery tight tolerances to insure proper assembly and function at normalrotational speeds of wheels.

An example of a prior art solution is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,696,which incorporates a screw and nut turn buckle type connection betweentwo half rings of the device. However, other prior art apparatus, suchas those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,270,592 and 3,976,114, incorporatecombinations of positional retaining member “hook and ratchet” or “plugand socket” arrangements. These combinations typically require separateengagement and disengagement devices to activate the fasteners.Additional prior art apparatus are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.4,393,911, which employs axial bolting members with limitedadjustability, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,391,317, which usescircumferential bolting members that are difficult to access inside oftire cavities. All of these prior art solutions still suffer fromcumbersome, laborious installation and, in some cases, parts that mustbe installed from outside the wheel/tire/insert assembly. There is thusa need for an attachment apparatus that allows easier access andoperation to speed and ease the installation process for inserts Thereis also a need for tire inserts that eliminate separate components toaccomplish such installation.

Embodiments comprise a new attachment apparatus used in assembling,adjusting, and disassembling runflat tire inserts that includes allparts required for proper installation. Embodiments include an actuatormore easily accessed from outside the tire and more easily operated byvirtue of its orientation and construction. The actuator comprises anut, bolt head, or the like accessible with a tool when a tire ismounted on the wheel for work with the inserts. The actuator can beattached to a mechanical assembly that converts rotation of the headinto motion of parts of the insert toward or away from each other,depending on the direction of actuator rotation. For example, a gearand/or pinion can be used in the actuator. A preferred embodimentemploys a worm and a pinion mounted in one part of an insert and a pinor the like, such as an eyebolt, mounted in another part with its shaftprotruding toward the first half. Threads on the shaft of the eyebolt inpreferred embodiments engage the pinion, such as via correspondingthreads on the pinion's internal surface. The worm can be turned torotate the pinion, which moves the bolt along its axis via the threads,which moves the parts of the insert together or apart, depending onwhich direction the worm is rotated. Other embodiments employ a rack andpinion arrangement and a threaded anchor. Embodiments can also include alocking feature to ensure that the actuator is fixed in position onceassembly is complete.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying FIGS.in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a typical tire insertmounted on a wheel and within a tire.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an insert in which embodiments can beemployed.

FIG. 3 is a close-up of the insert of FIG. 2 as indicated by the boxlabeled, “3”.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of another embodiment.

FIG. 7 see-through perspective view of an attachment apparatus accordingto embodiments at a break in a tire insert taken along the axis ofrotation of a head of the apparatus.

FIG. 8 is another schematic see-through perspective view of anattachment apparatus according to embodiments at a break in a tireinsert.

FIG. 9 is a schematic elevation view of the actuator portion of anattachment apparatus according to embodiments.

FIGS. 10-12 are schematic cross-sectional views of the actuator portionof embodiments and including a torque limiter in various states ofoperation.

FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic elevations showing the actuator portionbefore and after placement in an insert.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the actuator portion ofembodiments illustrating a preferred angle at which the head should bemounted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As seen in, for example, FIG. 1, a runflat tire insert 10 is mounted ona wheel 1 and within a tire 2. Preferably, the insert includes a roller10 a that rides on a runner 10 b mounted about the wheel 1. FIG. 2 showsa side view of an insert 10 that has two breaks 11 between first andsecond portions 12, 13 of the insert, an attachment apparatus 20, and astatic connection assembly 30. It should be noted that the connectionassembly 30 could be replaced with a second attachment apparatus 20. Theone or more breaks 11 in the insert allow it to be placed on the wheel,and the attachment apparatus 20 at at least one break 11 allow theinsert 10 to be tightened about the wheel 1. As seen in FIGS. 3-7, theattachment apparatus 20 broadly comprises a pin 21, a translator 22 thatacts on the pin 21 to tighten/loosen the insert 10 about the wheel, andan actuator including a head 23 that can be rotated by a tool, and aconverter 24 that takes rotation of the head 23 and transfers it intomotion the translator 22 can use. Rotating the head 23 causes theconverter 24 to act on the translator 22, which draws the pin 21 into ormoves the pin out of the portion of the tire insert into which itprojects, depending on the direction of head rotation. The particularlocations of these components in the parts of the insert can be changedas long as the components accomplish the functions they must to draw theportions together and secure the insert. In embodiments, the head 23 andthe converter 24 comprise an actuator mounted in the second portion 13of the insert that is mechanically connected to and end of the pin 21 inthe second portion 13, and can be selectively operated by a tool or thelike, while the other end of the pin is anchored in the first portion12.

An exemplary embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4 and 7-9. FIG. 4 shows a pin21 in the form of an eyebolt 310 with the translator 22, head 23, andconverter 24 at an end opposite the eye of the bolt. The eyebolt can bereplaced with a T-bolt or another suitable connecting bolt or pin. FIGS.7-9 show additional details of the arrangement wherein threads 320 onthe pin and in a pinion 330 act as the translator 22, and a worm 340 andthe pinion teeth 331 are the converter 24. The head 24 can be a hex head350 mounted on a shaft 360 about or on which the worm 340 is mounted.While a worm 340 is preferred, the worm 340 can be replaced with ahelical gear or other toothed member that transfers motion from the head24 to the pin 21 so as to allow the first and second portions 12, 13 ofthe insert 11 to be moved together and apart with little or no risk ofreverse operation from stresses imparted during use of the insert 11.The actuator could further be replaced by engaging bevel gears, onerotated by the head, the other acting on the pin, by a face gear engagedby a pinion, or by another power train.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 7-9, where an eyebolt 310 is used, it ismounted in a first portion 12 of the insert 10 on one side of a break11, the eye portion 311 of the eyebolt being hooked over a post 312 orthe like. The threads 320 include threads 321 formed on a portion of theshaft 313 of the eyebolt 310, and the threaded portion of the eyebolt310 projects toward a second portion 13 of the insert on the other sideof the break 11. Preferably, the threaded portion of the eyebolt isinserted into a bore 14 in the second portion 13 of the insert 10 andinto a central bore 332 of a pinion mounted for rotation in the secondportion 13. The pinion 330 of embodiments includes external teeth 331about an external perimeter thereof and threads 333 on the surface ofits central bore 332. The bolt shaft 313 is drawn into the secondportion 13 when the pinion 330 is turned in one direction and is forcedout of the second portion 13 when the pinion 330 is turned in anopposite direction. The actuator thus comprises the worm wheel 340mounted in the second portion 13 and the head 24, 350 mounted on the endof the worm 340 or on the end of a shaft 360 about which the worm 340 ismounted for engagement and rotation with a tool. The teeth 341 of theworm 340 engage the teeth 331 of the pinion 330 to convert rotation ofthe head 24, 350 into translation of the pin 21 or the like, hereeyebolt 310.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate arrangement in which the pin 21 has thetranslator 22 at one end and the head 23 and converter 24 at the otherend. The pin 21 has a pinion 501 mounted on and for rotation with oneend of the pin 21 in the second portion 13 of the insert 10. The pinion501 could be mounted with a key on the pin 21, or the pin 21 and pinion501 could be integrally formed as one piece, or another configurationcould be used. The pin 21 further includes threads 502 on the endopposite the pinion. The threaded end 503 of the pin 21 is insertedthrough a threaded anchor 504 mounted in the first portion 12. Thepinion 501 engages a toothed member 505, such as a worm, that is rotatedby the head 23 so that rotation of the head 23 turns the toothed member505. As the toothed member 505 turns, so does the pinion 501, whichrotates the pin 21, causing translation of the pin 21 via the threads502 engaging the anchor 504. Thus, the translator 22 includes thethreads 502 and anchor 504, and the converter 24 includes the toothedmember 505 and pinion 501. Again, while a worm is preferred, the toothedmember 505 can be a helical gear or other toothed member that transfersmotion from the head to the pin so as to allow the first and secondportions of the insert to be moved together and apart with little or norisk of reverse operation from stresses imparted during use of theinsert. The actuator could again be replaced by engaging bevel gears,one rotated by the head, the other acting on the pin, by a face gearengaged by a pinion, or by another power train.

FIG. 6 shows an additional arrangement in which the pin 21 is similar tothat of FIG. 4, but in which the converter 24 and translator 22 arecombined. The pin 21 has a static anchor 601, such as an eye or T, atone end and a rack 602 of teeth 603 or the like at the other end. Therack 602 is engaged by a pinion 604 or the like that is rotated byrotation of the head 24. When the head 24 is turned, it rotates thepinion 604, which moves the rack 602, causing translation of the pin 21.The translator 22 and converter 24 both include the rack and pinionteeth in this variant.

Whatever form the actuator takes, whether it be a worm, pinion, or othermechanism, it is arranged to provide access to the head with a tool. Forexample, the worm of embodiments can be oriented so that itslongitudinal axis is parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel onwhich the insert is mounted, while the pinion and bolt are mounted withtheir longitudinal axes parallel to a tangent of the insert/wheel.However, a parallel orientation of the worm axis is not optimal foraccess when a tire is mounted about the wheel and insert to be secured.Rather, as seen in the FIGS. and particularly in FIG. 15, an angle inthe range of from about 0° to about 60° can provide better operation. Inparticular, an angle in the range of from about 10° to about 35° iseffective, with an angle of about 20° being particularly effective.Similar ranges of angles are preferred for the axis of rotation of thepinion when the pinion directly receives rotation from the head andengages a rack on the bolt shaft.

The actuator, converter, and translator can be encapsulated in their ownhousing 50, as seen in FIGS. 7-9, but particularly in FIGS. 13-15. Thus,embodiments include a housing 50 for the worm 340 and pinion 330, whichhousing can retain lubricant that reduces friction between the teeth341, 331 of the worm 340 and the pinion 330. Alternative embodiments caninclude a housing that omits a wall or a portion of a wall, or even ahousing that is integral with the tire insert. Embodiments in which aportion of a wall or an entire wall omitted will not retain lubricantwithin the housing permanently, but saves on materials costs andprovides easier access to the worm. Where one or more walls are omitted,lubricant can be applied when the worm is to be used. In eitheralternative, the head protrudes beyond the housing to enable access witha tool. Preferably, the portion of the runflat insert in which thehousing is mounted is molded to accommodate the tool engaging portion orhead of the wheel and to allow engagement with the tool.

Embodiments can also include a torque limiting arrangement such that theinsert and attachment apparatus can not be damaged by the application oftoo much torque to the head. In embodiments, as seen in FIGS. 10-12, theworm 340 is mounted about a bolt or shaft 360 on which the head 350 isformed. The worm 340 can slide along the shaft or bolt 360, but islimited in its motion on one end by one or more springs 362 mountedbetween the end of the worm and a wall in the second portion of theinsert or wall of the housing in embodiments in which the apparatus ismounted in a housing. On the other end, the worm translation is limitedby a pin 361 projecting from the shaft 360, the pin 361 engaging a notch342 in the end of the worm 340. The notch 342 acts as a cam, and the pin361 acts as a follower. The notch 342 includes a ramp 343 on thetightening side and the spring 362 presses the worm 340 against the pin361 so that torque below a limit set by the spring load results inrotation of the worm 340 with the head 350 and shaft 360 when tighteningthe portions of the insert (drawing them together), but if the torquelimit is reached, the pin 361 moves out of the notch 342 up the ramp 343and the worm 340 can remain stationary. The loosening side of the notch342 preferably does not include such a ramp, instead having a simplewall 344. To provide the spring bias, disc springs or the like arepreferred as the spring(s) 362, though coil springs could also be used.

In operation, an installer places the insert about the wheel, insertsthe shaft of the eyebolt into the bore and pinion, attaches a tool tothe head on the worm, and rotates the head in the tightening direction.The worm is rotated by the head and turns the pinion, whose threadsengage and rotate about the threads of the shaft of the eyebolt, drawingthe eyebolt into the second section of the insert, which tightens theinsert on the wheel. In embodiments including a torque limiter, when thedesign torque is reached, the torque limiter provides feedback to theinstaller so that he or she can stop rotating the head and remove thetool to proceed with the remainder of installation. In embodiments withno torque limiter, the design torque can be verified by the installer,such as by using a torque wrench or measuring a positional displacement.

Broadly, as described above, embodiments comprise a pin, a translatorthat acts on the pin to tighten and loosen the insert around the wheel,a head that can be rotated by a tool, and a converter that takesrotation of the head and transfers it into motion the translator canuse. The particular locations of these components in the first andsecond portions of the insert can be changed as long as the componentsaccomplish the functions they must to draw the portions together andsecure the insert. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 7-15, the pinis the shaft of an eyebolt mounted in the first portion of the insert.The translator is the combination of the threads on the shaft and thethreads in the pinion. The converter is the worm and the teeth of thepinion, which take rotation of the head and convert it to rotation ofthe pinion about a different axis, which rotates the threads of thepinion about the eyebolt shaft, drawing the eyebolt into the secondportion of the insert. To facilitate access, the axis of rotation of thehead is inclined. In an alternative embodiment seen in FIG. 5, thetranslator can be threads on the end of the pin in the first section andengaging a threaded anchor in the first section. The other end of thepin carries a pinion with external teeth, the pin rotating with thepinion. The external teeth of the pinion engage the worm such thatrotation of the head rotates the worm, rotating the pin, causingtranslation via the threads. The axis of rotation of the worm would bein the range discussed for the worm embodiment above. In anotherembodiment seen in FIG. 6, the translator can be a rack on the pinengaged by teeth of a pinion rotated directly by the head, though thisarrangement would be reversible and would require a locking mechanism orthe like to prevent spontaneous loosening of the insert during use.Additionally, this alternative embodiment would have the axis ofrotation of the pinion in the range discussed for the worm embodimentsabove.

It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Also, itwill be understood that various presently unforeseen or unanticipatedalternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may besubsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended tobe encompassed by the following claims

1. A runflat insert attachment and adjustment apparatus comprising: apin secured in and extending from one of a first and second portion ofthe insert to another of the first and second portion of the insert; atranslator mounted in one of the first and second portions of the insertand configured to move the pin to selectively tighten and loosen theinsert about a wheel; a head arranged for engagement and rotation by atool; a converter connected to the head and the translator andconfigured to receive rotation of the head and transfer it to thetranslator in a form the translator can use; wherein a shaft portion ofthe pin carries threads and is engaged and selectively translated by aportion of at least one gear; wherein the at least one gear comprises aworm and a pinion, the pinion further comprising external teeth and athreaded central bore that together with the threads of the shaftportion comprises the translator, the worm and pinion teeth comprisingthe converter; a second shaft about which the worm is slidably androtatably mounted, the second shaft supporting the head for rotationtherewith; and a second pin projecting radially from the second shaftand engaging a notch in a first end of the worm, at least one springengaging a second end of the worm and biasing the worm toward the secondpin, the notch comprising a ramp on a tightening side so that the wormrotates with the second pin until torque applied to the head exceeds arestraining force imposed on the second pin by the bias.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the head is mounted on the second shaft. 3.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pin comprises an eyebolt with aneye portion and the shaft portion, the eye portion of the eyebolt beinghooked over a post formed in the one of the first and second portions ofthe insert.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the other of the firstand second portions of the insert comprises a bore into which the shaftportion of the pin can be inserted.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe external teeth of the pinion engage teeth of the worm such thatrotation of the worm causes rotation of the pinion.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising an eyebolt, and a pinion connected to thehead, the eyebolt including an eye and a first shaft and comprising thepin, the first shaft further comprising a rack portion with teeth, thepinion further comprising external teeth that together with the rackcomprises the translator and the converter.
 7. A runflat tire insertattachment and adjustment apparatus comprising: a pin in a first portionof an insert and arranged to extend into a second portion of the insert,an actuator in the second portion of the insert and engaging the pin, ahead of the actuator having a rotational axis in a plane substantiallytransverse to a diametral plane of the insert, and a torque limiterbetween the head and the actuator.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 whereinthe pin comprises threads operatively engaged in the second portion ofthe insert by the actuator when the insert is placed on a wheel, theactuator selectively drawing the pin into and forcing the pin out of thesecond portion of the insert via the threads.
 9. The apparatus of claim8 wherein the actuator comprises a pinion mounted in the second portionof the insert with a rotational axis coaxial with a longitudinal axis ofthe pin, the pinion operatively engaging the pin via threads on aninternal surface of the pinion.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 furthercomprising a worm mounted with a rotational axis substantiallyperpendicular to the rotational axis of the pinion and including teeth,the worm teeth engaging external teeth of the pinion.
 11. The apparatusof claim 10 wherein the head is mounted on a shaft about which the wormis mounted and configured for access by and use with a tool, rotation ofthe head inducing rotation of the worm.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7wherein the pin comprises teeth in a rack operatively engaged in thesecond portion of the insert by the actuator when the insert is placedon a wheel, the actuator selectively drawing the pin into and forcingthe pin out of the second portion of the insert via the teeth.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12 wherein the actuator comprises a pinion mounted inthe second portion of the insert with a rotational axis substantiallyperpendicular to the diametral plane of the insert, the pinionoperatively engaging the pin via teeth on an external surface of thepinion.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the head is on a shaftabout which the pinion is mounted and configured for access by and usewith a tool, rotation of the head inducing rotation of the pinion.
 15. Arunflat tire insert attachment and adjustment apparatus comprising: apin in a first portion of an insert and arranged to extend into a secondportion of the insert; an actuator in the second portion of the insertand engaging the pin, a head of the actuator having a rotational axis ina plane substantially transverse to a diametral plane of the insert; anda torque limiter between the head and the actuator, wherein the torquelimiter comprises a cam mounted about a shaft, the shaft having afollower projecting radially therefrom, the follower engaging a cam, thecam and follower being forced together by a spring bias that induces aretention force such that when torque applied to the head exceeds theretention force, the follower rotates ahead of the cam, therebypreventing damage to the cam, actuator, and pin.